National News

Walmart Facebook fans get free layaway access two days early

It's hard to beleive that the holiday season is just around the corner and this year many retailers are offering customers incentives to start stocking up early.

Walmart is kicking off its holiday season with free layaway starting Sept. 13 and running through Dec. 13, the program is eligible for items including electronics, toys, jewelry, small appliances and select sporting goods.

Walmart Facebook fans will enjoy a two-day head start this year with access to layaway on Sept. 11 and 12.

Walmart’s layaway will once again help customers purchase the newest electronics from the brands they know and love like Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and more. A few of the top electronics the retailer expects to be popular layaway gifts include:

Tablets such as the iPad, iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus

Smartphones like the iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy 3 (prepaid only)

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles and new releases

Big screen (60”+) smart TVs

Walmart also expects toys to be popular for layaway, including:

Furby Boom

Barbie Dream House

Big Hugs Elmo

Zoomer, a robotic dog

Bikes and ride-on vehicles

Children’s tablets and learning toys such as LeapFrog

Using layaway at Walmart is simple. Customers can start a layaway account in any Walmart Supercenter or Walmart store (not including Neighborhood Markets) by visiting the Walmart.com Services Desk. Once a layaway account is opened, customers can make payments at any register in that store between Sept. 13 and Dec. 13, 2013. Walmart will also send payment reminders and status updates to customers via email.

In addition, for added convenience in purchasing select large items, including ride-on vehicles, basketball goals and trampolines, Walmart is introducing new “tear pad” slips that customers can bring to the Walmart.com Services Desk – alleviating the need to carry select bulky items to the counter.

Here’s how Walmart’s 2013 layaway stacks up to previous years:

Layaway customers can also take advantage of Walmart’s Ad Match Guarantee. That means Walmart will match the price of any local competitor’s printed ad for an identical item at the Walmart.com Services Desk. This includes layaway items throughout the holiday season.